Divisions:
KFD
Astronomy has received high priority status in South Africa. Major projects in support of this include Southern African Large Telescope (SKA), HESS and the efforts relating to KAT and Square Kilometer Array (SKA). The country runs the risk of not being able to fully utilise or maximise the benefits from these facilities, owing to a lack of adequate human capital. This risk implies that that the country may own the hardware, but will be subject to a form of “knowledge colonisation” from international quarters, many of whom already possess a critical mass of requisite skills.
The Multiwavelength programme (MWLA) is an interim programme of human capacity development in astronomy, which is implemented in parallel to the development of a comprehensive strategy for astronomy in South Africa, currently referred to as the Astronomy Geographical Advantage Programme.